Sarah Napthali

I really, really liked the approach to relationships in this book. It's not about practicing Buddhism, rather it's about utilizing/ applying Buddhist teachings to improve your relationships. Topics include social conditioning women put on themselves for keeping house, taking care of children, showing love and service to their spouse. The author uses examples from her own relationship, mentions studies done by relationship experts such as John Gottman, and uses humor to handle serious show more subjects. I think this is a great book for new couples and those in long-term relationships. show less

I came across this book at the right time, and reading it at a leisurely pace has been very very useful for me. It has reconnected me with meditation and with many things I already knew but haven't thought about and/or done for years.

Practical, short, and easy to read, this book fits well into the bits of time many parents can find for reading. My main gripe is that it's SO gendered, from the title (why not Buddhism for Parents?) straight through the text. If you are also sensitive to these show more issues, I'd advise skipping the first chapter--I almost quit reading because I found its dismissive treatment of partners (meaning male ones) and its assumption that mothers don't work outside the home (and fathers do) so alienating. That would have been a pity. show less

If you have encountered books about Buddhism previously and put them down after a few pages because they just seemed too esoteric for you, too out of touch with your life, then this is the book for you. The author is as ‘everyday’ as you will get for a Buddhist author. She lives in a normal family, concerned with normal, everyday living. Her husband is not a Buddhist, and her two young sons are as challenging as any children their age. But Napthali is different to most mothers in one way show more – she incorporates Buddhism practices into her life as a mother. She shares her experiences with the reader not in a ‘I am better than you, learn from me’ way, but rather in a ‘I found this works, you might find it helpful’ approach.

As with her other book, Napthali writes in an engaging manner that is accessible to any reader. You could easily read this book in one setting, but it is also a resource you can dip in and out of. Even if you only take away one message from this book—that you are only human, and that’s okay and you can cope as a mother as human as you are—it will be worth it. I recommend this book to all mothers, Buddhist or otherwise. show less

I really enjoyed reading this book. Napthali wrote a lot of being peaceful and calm, and the book felt peaceful and calm. The preface spoke to me in so many levels and when I read that I knew I had to read the whole book!

That said, I don't plan on becoming Buddhist (which I have to say in case some relatives read this and start to panic and call me to talk to me about it LOL!) But, there are some great ideas in there that are too good to borrow.

I think Napthali is a gifted writer and I love show more how she sprinkled her own personal stories in about when she was less than patient or peaceful or calm. It sort of takes the pressure off of the reader. I don't have to worry about being perfect, I only have to worry about doing better is really what I felt a huge message of the book was.

I loved some of the analogies she uses in here - when she compares emotions to visitors who are coming over. I've already repeated that a few times - it's such a great, understandable way to get the point across to not be afraid of our emotions.

I loved the section on meditation - something I've wanted to do but still haven't.

Although at the end, it was also clear her intent was to speak to Buddhist mothers or to try to convert some of us to become Buddhist mothers. As I said, I have no intention of doing that. She talks about how you can meditate outside of Buddhism, but she makes it sound like doing that would automatically mean you weren't a part of a loving community out to care for others and be kind and wonderful and loving. I feel I already have that sort of community around me - that it doens't just exist in Buddhist communities.

But overall, I really thought this was a great book and I'm glad I read it! show less